A sterilizing system for sterilizing a continuous loop conveyor belt of a conveyor system is provided. The conveyor system includes a drive operatively connected to the conveyor belt and operative to move the belt between upper and lower flight paths. The upper flight path includes an exposed surface for receiving items. The sterilizing system includes a housing that is configured to at least partially cover the lower flight path. An ultraviolet light source is positioned in the interior of the housing. The light source is operative to emit ultraviolet light on the belt at the lower flight path to sanitize the belt.